• Defence Notes

  Why cybersecurity must be a priority for Latin American militaries

  21st March 2023

  The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.

• Air Warfare

  Sikorsky delivers 5,000th H-60 helicopter

  23rd January 2023

  The Black Hawk has been in service for over four decades, but both the US Army and Sikorsky believe the helicopter will have a role for at least another 40 years.

• Land Warfare

  IVAS programme has made major progress, says US Army Chief of Staff

  27th March 2023

  The US Army and Microsoft are currently working on the third version of the product, the 1.2 variant.

• Naval Warfare

  Peru bets on local industry to supply naval needs

  1st February 2023

  Peru is backing domestic shipyard SIPA to build new vessels across multiple classes, but may yet need foreign design and construction expertise for programme success.

• Naval Warfare

  Pakistan Navy proceeds with gunboat construction

  8th February 2023

  Pakistan is working on two classes of patrol boat - one in conjunction with Swiftships in the US, and one with Techno Marine of Poland.

• Defence Notes

  Despite sanctions, India's dependence on Russian military equipment likely to persist for decades to come

  23rd January 2023

  Despite boosting indigenous production and diversifying its sources of military equipment, India is in no position to give up its long-time dependence on Russia.

• Defence Notes

  China cannot bring peace in Ukraine, Monsieur Macron! (Opinion)

  12th April 2023

  The French president has dangerously aligned himself with Chinese talking points, and seems willing to leave Taiwan to its own fate, according to his recent visit to China.

• Air Warfare

  US Army FARA prototypes 95% complete while FLRAA stays on full halt

  13th February 2023

  Sikorsky and Bell helicopter proposals are drawing close to completion for the US Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft competition.

• Air Warfare

  Defiant protest grounds US Army FLRAA contract

  4th January 2023

  Boeing and Sikorsky think the US Army's decision on the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft was not made in the right way and have filed a protest with the US Government Accountability Office, pausing the programme for more than three months.

• Land Warfare

  Myanmar unveils new indigenous military vehicles at Independence Day parade

  24th January 2023

  Many countries may have sanctioned Myanmar's military junta, but the Southeast Asian nation continues to receive support from nations such as China, Russia and Ukraine.

• Air Warfare

  The 5 most significant air stories of 2022

  30th December 2022

  Several key developments emerged in the air domain in 2022, with major announcement coming toward the end of the year - we collected the five most significant ones.

• Defence Notes

  How France’s future budget will prepare its forces for tomorrow’s warfare

  26th January 2023

  Under the future military programming law 2024-2030 umbrella, France intends to invest in innovation as well as in cyber, maritime, space and UAS capabilities.

• Defence Helicopter

  US joins NATO allies in European helicopter air assault exercise

  22nd November 2022

  American, Dutch and Polish rotary-wing assets were involved in large-scale operations practising cargo and personnel transport and drops, and other operations.

• Defence Helicopter

  Royal Navy upgrades Merlin helicopters

  5th December 2022

  The Royal Navy's amphibious helicopters have received an improved defensive aid suit and Merlin pilots can now train in a synthetic training environment.

• Land Warfare

  Australia delays armoured vehicle replacement decision till 2023

  28th November 2022

  The chances of Land 400 Phase 3 retaining its original look for 450 new IFVs grow more and more strained.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BMD-4M

  Programme Background Since 2017, 11 battalion sets of the BMD-4M have been delivered to units of the VDV in addition to 27 located at the ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BTR-MDM Rakushka

  Programme Background Since 2016, 11 battalion sets of BTR-MDMs are known to have been delivered to units of the VDV in addition to 12 platforms ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ZAHA (Turkey)

  Programme Background The Turkish Navy has need of a tracked amphibious assault vehicle to support ship-to-shore beach landings carried out from its TCG Anadolu-class Landing ...

• Fighter - naval

  Future Naval Fighter China

  The PLAN started development work in 2011 for the Type 075 with the aim of increasing the "vertical" amphibious assault capability, with the mountainous East ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Data links

  Data links | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV7A1 RAM/RS (Japan - 2nd Batch)

  Programme Background The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) has procured the AAV7A1 RAM/RS to equip its Amphibious Assault Brigade formed in 2018. Tasked with ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Landing Platform Docks [India]

  In August 2021, the Indian Navy issued a Request for Information (RfI) for four LPDs, resurrecting an earlier failed effort to acquire large amphibious assault ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Ivan Gren Class (Project 11711)

  Programme Background The Ivan Gren-class (Project 11711) large amphibious assault ships (LST) have been designed for the Russian Navy by Nevskoe Design Bureau to undertake landing operations ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KAAV II

  Programme Background The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) operates one Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship and has launched another to support provide operational lift for the ROKMC. ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-12

  Kalashnikov publicly unveiled the AK-12 assault rifle in January 2012. The AK-12 uses the same gas-operated long-stroke piston system as previous Kalashnikov rifles. A 5.45x39mm ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  SKAT 350

  Based on the Supercam 350, the SKAT 350 is a mini fixed-wing UAV manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern JSC. The drone was revealed in early 2024, ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-19

  The Kalashnikov Concern unveiled its developmental AK-19 assault rifle in August 2020. Compared to the AK-12 assault rifle upon which it is based, the AK-19 ...

• Individual grenade launchers

  GP-34

  Kalashnikov designed the single-shot GP-34 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher for use with the company’s 5.45mm, 5.56mm and 7.62mm assault rifles. The sight allows the firer ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-101/103

  The AK-100, or Century series, applies modern production techniques to the legacy AK design. The 5.56mm AK-101 and 7.62mm AK-103 are full-length assault rifles. Forearm, ...

• Light machine guns

  RPK-16

  Kalashnikov unveiled its 5.45x39mm RPK-16 light support weapon at the Army 2016 exhibition. Intended to supersede the RPK-74 light machine gun, the RPK-16 can be ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-15

  Developed under the Ratnik modernisation programme, the AK-15 assault rifle was first unveiled in 2016. It is designed for elite units and law enforcement and ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-200

  The AK-200 family of assault rifles and carbines was developed by the Kalashnikov Concern for export customers and domestic law enforcement agencies. Designed as an ...

• Pistols

  PL-15

  The PL-15 is a double-action-only pistol chambered for the ubiquitous 9x19mm parabellum cartridge. Developed by firearms designer and target shooter Dmitry Lebedev and manufactured by ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Legionnaire E33K

  The Legionnaire E33K is a small fixed-wing UAV developed by Kalashnikov Concern. The drone is designed for various tasks, including cargo carrying.  An electric motor powers ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Karakurt

  The Karahurt is a Russian tube-launched rotary-wing platform manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern. It bears visual similarities with SpearUAV's range of drones and has been designed ...

• Light machine guns

  RPL-20

  After testing with the RPK-16 light machine gun uncovered several issues with the design, Kalashnikov initiated development of the new RPL-20 light machine gun to ...

• Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  PCS-5/5M GABRO

  The PCS-5/PCS-5M passive NVD is a lightweight telescopic sight designed for use on portable weapons. It can be used for battlefield observation, detection and target ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  BR18

  The BR18 is a compact mission-configurable weapon system built by ST Engineering Land Systems. The BR18 has a patented forward ejection system and is one of ...

• Light machine guns

  Negev NG7 LMG

  The 7.62x51mm Negev NG7 is a further development of the Negev 5.56mm light machine gun and was adopted by the IDF in 2012. The NG7 can ...